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Leveraged ETF Round Up: MLP Funds March Higher, Gold Fades

Last week, the leveraged/inverse ETF world was pretty quiet with the highest gain seen at only just below 6% -- very rare in this ‘high risk, high return’ investing zone. The Fed’s new comments on the interest rate policy mainly regulated the events in the market and kept wild swings to a minimum.

Let’s take a look at some top and worst performing leveraged/inverse ETFs to assess what is trending now in the market.

MLPs represent a compelling investment proposition for income-focused investors while being known for stable cash flows and strong growth potential. As a result, the space benefitted from the dip in interest rates past week. MLPL offers twice the exposure on the Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index and it gained about 5.76% (read: 3 MLP ETFs Riding Out Market Volatility).

Natural Gas ETFs in Focus

Prices of natural gas moved south in the recent past due to stronger inventories. Supplies kept on mounting for last seven weeks in a row leading prices to tumble last week. GASX -- a three times bear fund on ISE-REVERE Natural Gas Index – thus, was the second best performer. On the other hand, GASL – a triple leverage bull ETF on natural gas – shed 6.71% (read: Natural Gas ETFs Tumble as Supply Levels Surge).

Business Development ETFs in Focus

In an ultra-low yield environment, Business Development Companies or BDCs also remained great investment propositions thanks to their high-yield nature. BDCL – having twice leveraged long exposure on the Wells Fargo Business Development Company Index – added 4.81%.

Gold Miners ETFs in Focus

Gold Miners ETFs – often trading as a leveraged play on gold –slid last week as the Fed recently hinted at the rise in interest rates earlier than expected. The announcement hurt the safe haven status of the metal.

While gold bullion was hurt considerably, the pain was more intense in the mining ETFs space. As a result, JUNG – the bull gold mining ETF having triple leverage strategy was the top loser in the leveraged ETFs world last week (read: After a Rocky Q1, What's Ahead for Gold Mining ETFs?).

Russia ETFs in Focus

Optimism, though fragile, again returned to the Russian market. So far, the nation hit headlines for all wrong reasons like annexation in Crimea, tension with Ukraine, stand-off with the West and credit rating downgrade by big rating agencies.

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